I recently was looking at the Wall Street Journal and saw a roundup of gift ideas for the holidays. It had some fun suggestions including music selection from Mario Batali that he plays in the kitchen while he works. So I thought I would put out there a few ideas of my own to recommend.... Read more »

November 29th at 8:00 pm the Discovery 3D Channel “3Net” will air a show called Bloody Good hosted by Mark Schatzker. Mark came and filmed at Prairie Fire a few weeks back. Both George and I talked to Mark “on air” and cooked him a delicious Ribeye. Some of you may know Mark Schatzker because... Read more »

There has been some really incredible squash this fall. I discovered varieties that I have never cooked with before. I really like the ones that Genesis Growers is offering. Two of the varieties are Pink Banana and Long of Naples. These squash are really big! Both of them have an intense color and flavor. It’s... Read more »

Chef George Bumbaris was on ABC Channel 7 on Father’s Day to show folks how we cook our Slow Roasted Wild Alaskan Salmon for Dad. Slow roasting gives the fish a wonderful tenderness and a rich taste. As part of the segment, George also demonstrated the assembly of our Mom’s Strawberry Cream Pie. That final... Read more »

A really special treat for Mom this year would be for you to help her set up an edible garden. Imagine the fun of fresh tomatoes, squash, and herbs growing right outside the kitchen, helping Mom provide fresh and tasty meals with her very own ingredients! If your thumb is more grey than green, you... Read more »

I participate in the UNICEF Tap Project every year. It’s easy to forget, when our lives are so comfortable, that others worry about basic needs like clean drinking water. During Chicago Chef Week (March 20 – 26) at both Prairie Fire in Chicago and Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook we are asking people to donate... Read more »

The wonderful musicians of the Academy of Irish Music in Chicago will be playing at Prairie Fire March 2 from 7 to 9 pm. The Academy of Irish Music of Chicago is part of a long and proud history of Irish and Celtic Music in Chicago that began in the late 1800s and has produced... Read more »

Every year we have done a TO-GO super bowl menu that you can pick up from Prairie Grass Cafe. This will be the first year at Prairie Fire that we will offer it. It’s funny, but this turns out to be a collection of some of my favorite foods: Spicy Chicken Wings, Tender Braised BBQ... Read more »

Sea2Table, one of our purveyors of fresh and sustainable seafood, sent this with there order form below under the title “Happening in the Fisheries.” It is worth reading and it is also worthwhile to know where your seafood is coming from – something I always make sure we are doing at the restaurants. It... Read more »